How Socialism Broke Venezuela: Franklin Camargo’s Warning to America | The Brief | PragerU

Venezuela went from being the fourth largest economy to be the country or one of the countries with the highest inflation, highest crime, and actually the highest refugee crisis. When we talk about the Venezuelan regime, we're talking about a narco state. They control a cartel and they use that to produce and traffic drugs around the world. Around 20% of the world's cocaine is produced in Venezuela. China has been sending money to Venezuela. Right now, Venezuela's debt to China is around $20 billion. And how do they pay that debt? Through oil. And welcome back to the brief. We are joined today by a special guest, Franklin Kamargo. Franklin is not only a friend, but he's actually a fellow Prageru personality and he escaped communist Venezuela to come to the United States. And Franklin, I thought you would be an excellent guest for three reasons. One, you happen to be incredibly smart, but two, you also happen to be Venezuelan. and three, we happen to work right next door to each other. So, it worked out really well. Um, I want to first before we get into Venezuela and before we get into communism, I want to ask you a question I should have asked you six months ago, which is how do I, as a white boy from the Bronx, pronounce your last name. >> You You did it right, Kamargo. That's perfect. >> Perfect. Kamargo. All right. Well, without >> actually I'm gonna allow you to pronounce it not maybe in a perfect way because honestly I'm gonna have some trouble with my pronunciation today. >> Okay, good. Good. Appreciate that. So, let's get into it. If anyone is paying any attention to American political discourse, the number one foreign policy issue today is not Israel Gaza. It's not Russia, Ukraine. It's actually Venezuela. Why is Venezuela in the news? Can you tell us what's happening in that country and especially visav the Venezuelan American relationship? What's been going on since President Trump's re-election? >> Yes. So, Venezuela has been on the news for multiple years. We already know that Venezuela went from being the fourth largest economy, GDP per capita in the 1950s to be a disaster, to be the country or one of the countries with the highest inflation, highest crime, and actually the highest refugee crisis. Wow. However, what happened in the last 6 months? What happened in the last 12 months? Well, that an the administration that took power actually recognized the the nature of the Venezuelan regime. When we talk about the Venezuelan regime is not just a government that violates human rights. It's not just a country that implements socialist policies and that have created an economic crisis. No, of course it does that, but it does way more. When we talk about the Venezuelan regime, we're talking about a narco state. What does it mean a narco state? Well, it means that those who are in power, those who are, yes, Nicolas Maduro, the president, by the way, in a very illegal way or those who control Congress, those who control the Supreme Court are also narco terrorists. They control a cartel which name is cartel de lo solles and they use that to produce and traffic drugs around the world especially the United States of America. Let me let me give you a data so we can actually understand what it means. In Venezuela around 20% of the world's cocaine is produced there. Around 20% of the world's cocaine is produced in Venezuela. So what the current administration is doing is wait a minute there is a country there is a narco regime there is a narco state that is less than 3,000 miles away from us >> from Florida I think we should fight back right not just because they are an illegal government not just because we don't like their policies not just because they oppress Venezuelans is because they are attacking us and let me tell you I actually think it is America first to protect your borders it is America first to protect protect your citizens and the way to do it is to try to fight the Maduro regime who's been attacking the US population for quite a long time. >> So there's a lot to unpack in that answer, but one thing I want to focus on is you said he is an illegal president and it's an illegitimate government. What do you mean by that? Nicholas Madur took over the presidency of Venezuela after Hugo Chavez. Educate myself, educate our listeners. What do you mean when you say it's not a legitimate government? So, I'm going to try to make it as short as I can, but once Chavez won the election in 1999, I was only one years old, by the way, only one year old. Uh, he changed the constitution and once he changed the constitution, he was able to accumulate power over the years. Now, he passed away in 2012 and Maduro replaced him uh immediately. No, he actually passed away in 2013 officially, but there are rumors that he died way before that because he didn't speak to the people. He didn't provide any interviews. He did nothing. He disappeared for 6 months. Well, he officially died in March 2013. Maduro replaced him with an election that back then the opposition candidate Enriquez Cap Enrique Capilz, he said, "I won the election. I I mean, there's been irregularities happening. There's been an electoral system that is rigged in favor of the government and that's been happening in Venezuela for more than 10 years. Also, there is violation of free speech. If you speak out in Venezuela, you would go to prison or just like me, you would be accused of being a terrorist. But I promise you, I'm not a terrorist. I promise your audience I'm not a terrorist. I'm a I'm a well- behaved citizen. But that's what happens when you speak out against the government. Now, to be more specific, to me, Madur has been an illegal president for more than 10 years. But last summer or or the summer of 2024, to be more precise, July 28th, 2024, he stole the election from Maria Machalo. Even the quarter institution, the quarter institute who was there in Venezuela inspecting the election, paying attention to to the process, they said there were a strong irregularities. The government didn't provide any results until 1:00 a.m. And when they went out, they said at 1 p.m. 1:00 a.m. the day after, we were hacked by the Macedonian government, by the Mass, and we were hacked from Macedonia. So we don't have right now the actual numbers. We just know that Maduro won and yet one year after almost one year and a half after they have provided no results. Another proof that of course he's an illegal president. They ban opposition candidates from running. Maria Korina Machu is the leader of the opposition and he and she actually won the peace Nobel Prize just a few weeks ago. And by the way she thanked President Trump. He said Trump deserves better. Uh and and thank you for everything that he's been doing. I thank him for everything that he's been doing. Marina Macha was banned from being the candidate. Why? Because the regime didn't allow her because the regime didn't want her to be a candidate. So in Venezuela, there are not democratic tools to actually remove the government. This is also important because we're at a time that we have been talking about regime change and regime change to me changing the government or actually removing Maduro from office wouldn't be a regime change would actually be an action uh to uh put in place the constitution the law and the will of the Venezuelan people in power again. So, let's go back to Machow thanking President Trump saying that you really deserve this Nobel Peace Prize, not me. >> And I they decided to dedicate it to President Trump because he deserves it. Because not only has he been involved in only a few months in solving eight wars, but his actions have been decisive to have Venezuela now at a threshold of freedom after 26 years of tyranny. >> Why would she be thanking him? What has President Trump been doing visav the Maduro government and the Venezuelan people in his second administration that the Nobel Prize winner believes that it's her obligation to actually thank the American president? >> I I state this while being 100% sure, no doubt at all. Ignore I, you know, I support Trump because of his uh border security policy, because of his taxes tax policy, because of there are many reasons. I'm America first. I escaped Venezuela, but I put America first. My loyalty is to this country that opened its doors to me. It's not to Venezuela, a country that I was born in and I and I deeply care about. But my loyalty and my priority is America. I support Trump for multiple reasons. And Venezuelan doesn't come first or second. I have to be 100% honest. that even when I say this, I also have to say that no one outside of Venezuela, of course, has done more for the freedom of Venezuela than Donald J. Trump. Not just because he has put on the table the the topic of Venezuela, but because he has also taken actions about it. And Maria Karina Macho, she recognized that. You know what the the former administration did? They freed one of the worst corrupted Venezuelans that worked for Maduro, Alex Sap. He actually lifted sanctions, not to help the people of Venezuela, but to actually enrich Venezuelan politicians, the Venezuelan government. So Trump recognizes the nature of the Venezuelan regime. We've been talking about Tindorawa for a while, right? Because criminal gangsters, they came to the United States illegally to sell drugs, to kill Americans, to kill young girls, to rape young girls. Lake Riley, we know about this case in Georgia. Who killed her? Who who who abused her? Jose Barra. He was a Venezuelan illegal alien. He was part of Tindorawa. So when you fight the Venezuelan regime, when you fight Nicolas Maduro, you are fighting Trendorawa, you are fighting those who came to America to cause damage, to create chaos, to kill sadly American citizens. >> So let me let me push back then because you're talking about you won't use the term regime change, which I can understand, but you are talking about American involvement. speak to the young people in the United States who grew up only knowing American entanglement in foreign wars, whether it's in the Middle East, whether it's sending $300 billion to Ukraine to fight Russian aggression. Why is this something that America should involve itself with? >> Yes. Two things. First, I think uh a rational foreign policy is a foreign policy that understands that sure America should be focused about our own issues without being the police of the world, but you should also be concerned about those countries who are attacking you, especially when those countries are even close to you. And that comes that goes to my second point. James Monroe, fifth president of the United States, the Monroe Doctrine, America is for Americans. When we're talking about Venezuela, it is a country that sure it has the largest oil reserves. It is a country that has been attacking the US, but it's also a country that has been deeply involved with China, Iran, Russia, how Russia has sent equipments, military equipments to Venezuela. Wow. >> China has been sending money to Venezuela. Right now, Venezuela's debt to China is around $20 billion. And how do they pay that debt? Through oil. >> Wow. And also we need to mention Iran. There is intelligence from Iran in Venezuela. It is really in you in the US interest to have a regime that is attacking you, that is sending you criminals, that is sending you drugs and that is less than 3,000 miles away from you and that has Russian equipment, military equipment. It has Chinese money and and it also has Russ Chinese uh intelligence. It is really in US interest to just say, you know what, we shouldn't be concerned about that. No, you should. Now, what is the way to act? Maybe you shouldn't. Of course, you shouldn't risk any American lives. I do not support just sending American troops on the ground in Venezuela to fight a war for weeks or months. I do not support that. Again, I'm America first, but you you could do very specific attacks targeting those who are uh in charge of those actions that are harming US citizens. And that's exactly what we have been seeing for a few weeks. In the last two months, there has been more than 15 um air strikes attacks on Venezuelan narco boats. And I think that's that's the right path. You should do that because you are protecting American citizens. You are protecting American lives. >> Yeah. I I would say that's probably what brought you and I to Prageru and really to the conservative movement. This idea of the preservation of Western hegemony, whether it's in South America, whether it's in the Middle East, whether it's in the South China Sea, whether it's in Eastern Europe, that a American ideology that is strong over there means a strong America over here. So I want to talk about though because you mentioned China and you mentioned Russia, but you also mentioned that Venezuela has one of the largest oil deposits in the entire world. So what I'm kind of trying to understand is how do you have a country that is so rich in natural resources that geographically is not really surrounded by hostile nations? How is it that you go from a country like that to a country that is unable to pay down its own debt that has to simp itself out to foreign dictatorships like Iran and China and Russia? What went wrong for and within Venezuela? >> Yes, it is about policies. Venezuela is a great example because it is the example that first it doesn't matter how many resources you have natural resources and secondly it doesn't matter how rich you were or how rich you are right now if you implement bad policies that do not work economically or socially trust me you are going to regret it later what policies were implemented in Venezuela the oil industry was nationalized price controls you have the government attacking private corporations, private businesses. You had a government that promised everything for free. Who is going to pay? The rich is going to pay. The rich left or actually the rich also stop being rich. Chavez promised equality. You know what Venezuela got? Venezuela got equality. We don't give credit to the Venezuelan regime and to socialists. They talk about economic equality. Right now in Venezuela, over 90% of the population is poor. Equally poor. That is equally. Of course, of course, we have to ignore the ruling class, those in power. Those are extremely wealthy. They're extremely rich. But leftists do not pay attention to that. They actually care about going after those who create value. So, yes, Venezuela was destroyed by by socialist policies. Right now, New Yorkers, they're listening a lot about governmentr run grocery stores. We had that in Venezuela. It was called Avasto Bicentenario in Spanish. We also had a government uh freezing rent prices. What happened? Well, those who were who own property didn't put their property in rent. They were not renting them. And those who had the capacity to build new properties so you can help the market so you can get prices to go down. They were not building anymore. Why? Because there were not incentives. Now this is not even just about Venezuela. It happened in Cuba. It happened in the Soviet Union. It happened in East Germany. Let's remember that a wall was built in Berlin. So those who were in the communist side of Germany didn't escape to the capitalist side. That was the first wall that was ever built to keep people inside instead of people from coming in. So you know it is a great example. Venezuela is a great example because we were rich and because we have a lot of natural resources. It doesn't matter. Socialism can destroy anything. And sadly, it seems like some people in New York want to want to still try it. >> So, so let's talk about New York just briefly. For the first time in American history, Gen Z, young people in this country have a more sympathetic view of socialism than capitalism. Number one, why why do you think this is? And number two, what would you tell those young Americans who grew up with an economy that they don't actually feel is benefiting them? They see that they are the first generation also in American history that will not be as socially or economically mobile than their parents and grandparents. So what message would you send to young people in this country about socialism? >> Yes, they have been indoctrinated. many of them if you go to uh an American school or most of American schools maybe even of course in New York you're going to have professors who actually think socialism is a good idea and also their mindset or their uh ideological spirit hasn't been necessarily prepared to fight those ideas but to actually embrace them and people on the right we have been making mistakes too we need to talk about the issues of course young people should be concerned about rent prices. Of course, young people should be concerned about affordability. That is the word that we hear a lot. But sometimes we listen to it coming from the left, not from the right. We need to talk about the issues and but the actual root cause. When we talk about the housing problem is because we need to build more. We have a housing deficit. When we're talking about crime is because we're not going after criminals and so on. You can talk about all the issues. We need to talk about that the right sometimes doesn't do it. Another thing we should stop validating the socialist primise. Stop with the idea that socialist or socialism has a good intention. It might have it for some people who do not really understand the doctrine or those who haven't paid attention enough attention to history. But the idea that it is okay to just tax people just because they are more more successful. To me, that is an an immoral idea. The idea that we should all be economically equal, that is evil because we're all different. We speak differently. We have different backgrounds. We're going to make different choices. If we're all going to be equal is because we're going to have a government forcing us, using force, the monopoly of or of force to equalize us. And that is also evil and it is immoral. And we need to say that stop validating socialism because when you validate socialist u intentions, you're also validating the ideology. Young people are going to be like, well, even people on the right say that socialism doesn't work, but it has good intentions and it seems nice in theory. Well, let's try one more time because it has good intentions. So, if we try one more time, it might work. No, stop doing that. And another thing is defend capitalism with the right ideas and with the right solutions. The problem that America is an amazing country. It's the greatest nation on earth. Of course, it's not a perfect country. We have a lot of issues, but most of the economic issues is actually a result of estatism and a result of leaving behind those free market ideals. New York has been implemented progressive policies for decades and they have trouble. They have some issues. They have problems. of course they have problems because they have been implementing progressive policies. So you need to do exactly the opposite. So that that's one of the many many reasons. Why would I say to a young person who support who supports socialism and is embracing socialism that it is an idea that doesn't work that he's going to recreate it one way or the other. And we also people on the right we need to be prepared because when those ideas do not work and when they deliver horrible results they're are going to say that it wasn't about the ideology it was more about the person. It was about corruption. It was about the context. It was about the the specific politician that took those ideas in place. And we need to be prepared to fight back because we cannot tolerate more excuses. Socialism doesn't work. It doesn't matter who implement those ideas. It doesn't matter the context. It doesn't matter the country. It doesn't matter the city. It doesn't work. But we also be we need to be ready to fight because sometimes we're just too defensive. We need to attack. >> So So very briefly then, can you just describe 30 seconds or less? What does it look like in Caracus? Are there long lines for for bread? Is there enough fuel every day for your car? What is the average experience for someone living in Venezuela today under this regime and this ideology that you have so clearly articulated is something that is not in the best interest of most peoples. >> So it just to put into perspective in Venezuela over 90% of the population earns less than $5 every day. Wow. If you're a doctor, you went to college, you worked hard, so you know, you might might work at a hospital. We have free healthcare, by the way. No medicines, no beds, but at least no one pays the price for it. So, if you're a doctor, you might be able to make uh $50 per month, but it's still a very miserable condition and very miserable situation. And by the way, it's not a consequence of sanctions and US intervention. No, the Venezuelan collapse started way before the s the sanctions took place. It is a result of policies. It is a result of having a big government that controls society. You don't you don't want to be like Venezuela. You don't want to be like Cuba. You don't want to be like the Soviet Union. America is the greatest nation on earth because of the ideas that founded this country. Those ideas are not big government. Those ideas are not free stuff. Those ideas are the right to pursue your own happiness. You work hard, educate yourself, and ask for nothing more than you know your right to life and liberty. >> Well, Franklin, this has been incredibly insightful. I learned a lot, including that we are the same age. I was also one years old in 1999. And before I let you go, I have one last pressing question. I have sort of taken a playbook from you and I started jelling my hair. I don't know if you could tell. So, I want you to be intellectually honest. Whose hair at PragerU is the best gelled? Cuz I think I make a very competitive entry into this race. Your thoughts? >> I agree 100% with you. I would give it a 9.9 out of 10. I don't give tens, but 9.9 out of 10. >> That is the real That is the real reason I brought you on. Franklin Kamargo, we really appreciate your time, your insight, and I hope to have you back on the show soon. Take care. >> Thank you.